Betty Jane Ellison Attkisson

Betty Jane Ellison Attkisson, age 78, of LaFollette, went to be with her heavenly father on Jan. 1, 2013.

Betty Jane Ellison Attkisson, age 78, a long-time resident of Oak Ridge, went to be with her heavenly father on Jan. 1, 2013.

She was born July 14, 1934, in Arthur, Tenn., the daughter of Estel Newton Ellison and Mary Anna Jones Ellison.

Ms. Attkisson retired after 36 years from K-25. She was a very loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed life, traveling and helping her family, friends and loved ones. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, James, Ruby Leota, Bonnie, Otsie, Earl, Bennie and Jerry.

She is survived by son, Roger Dale Attkisson and partner, David O'Brien, of Washington, D.C.; daughter, Lou Anne Fritz and husband, Ronnie, of West Knoxville; grandsons, Matthew Fritz and Nathan Fritz of West Knoxville; and her loving sister, Nada Clarkson and husband, Ken, of Goldsboro, N.C., to whom she was very close and always loved the times that they got to spend together.

She is also survived by the father of her children, Bill Attkisson of Oak Ridge.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Keith Robinson officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family asks that any memorials be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, PO Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264-2596.